How Did Jonathan Larson Die

Jonathan Larson, the creator of the celebrated Broadway musical Rent, died suddenly in 1996 at the age of 35. The cause of his death was due to an aortic dissection: a medical condition in which the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s main artery, tears.

When Larson was found in his apartment by his father at the time of his death, his health had been deteriorating for weeks. For example, he had previously suffered from flu-like symptoms and chest pains. His friends had urged him to see a doctor, but he never did.

The type of aortic dissection that Larson suffered from is known as Type A. According to the Mayo Clinic, this type is usually more life-threatening than Type B, because it affects the main artery that delivers blood from the heart. It also can cause a complete blockage in the artery.

Although these types of aortic dissections are quite rare, they can be easily treated with proper medical attention. According to the Mayo Clinic, if found early, it can be treated with a surgical intervention, along with medications to prevent further episodes.

The death of Jonathan Larson left a lasting impact on the theatre world. He was a talented lyricist, composer, and playwright. Rent was acclaimed for its exploration of young artists struggling with HIV/AIDS and poverty in the ’90s. In 1996, only a few months after its debut, it won the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Though Larson was gone far too soon, his legacy lives on in his works, which continues to bring joy to millions of theater-goers around the world.